The American Ambulance Association (AAA) presented the 2008 President’s Award to Acadian Ambulance Service’s Tyron Picard, executive vice president of legal and governmental affairs. Acadian Ambulance is the largest private ambulance service in the nation serving more than half the state of Louisiana, and counties in Texas and Mississippi.
AAA President, Jim McPartlon, presented the distinguished award at a special ceremony during the President’s Banquet at the Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, NV. The President’s Award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding commitment of time and resources in accomplishing a specific objective or project for the AAA.
Picard was recognized for chairing the American Ambulance Association Political Action Committee, and for helping lead the legislative advocacy effort to pass the 2008 Medicare Bill through the United States Congress.
In presenting the award, President McPartlon said, “Tyron has demonstrated unwavering support for the AAA and was responsible for further opening the policymaking process of the AAA and the financial prowess of its political action committee. His efforts and dedication to the passing of the Medicare Bill is vital to the ambulance industry in America. We are all indebted to his major contributions and efforts.”
The AAA brought the industry decision-makers together in Las Vegas for the 2008 Annual Convention and Trade Show. Ambulance owners and managers attend to network, see the latest products, and keep up on business practices and technology. AAA provides industry leaders with the educational resources necessary to move their businesses forward.
Founded in 1979, the AAA’s Mission is: “To promote health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provide research, education and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve.” The American Ambulance Association represents ambulance services across the United States that participate in serving more than 75% of the U.S. population with emergency and nonemergency care and medical transportation services. The AAA was formed in response to the need for improvements in medical transportation and emergency medical services. The Association services as a voice and clearinghouse for ambulance services across the nation. The Association views prehospital care not only as a public service, but also as an essential part of the total public health care system.